The former soldier is being tried for fighting in Ukraine, and according to the indictment, he commanded the tankers
According to the indictment, Sukup traveled to the Donetsk region in June 2014 to support separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, where he was armed and equipped and actively participated in the fighting against Ukrainian government troops and took part in the battles for Kramatorsk and Gorlivka.
As the commander of the tank company, according to prosecutor Marek Bodlák, he also took part in the so-called August offensive in August 2014, during which members of the separatist units took control of the city of Ilovaysk and its surroundings, killing up to a thousand Ukrainian soldiers. According to the plaintiff, he held various positions in the military structures of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic until at least May 2018.
Sukup’s lawyer Klára Tvrdá denied guilt for her client. “The defendant contradicts all the facts stated in the indictment, I do not agree with the indictment and I feel innocent,” said the lawyer.
Sukup’s ex-wife testified at the Prague City Court today. She stated that Sukup was formerly a soldier, he was discharged from the army in 1997. Subsequently, he started a business in the field of security. She divorced her husband in 2012.
He is said to help women and children
The man’s daughter told the court that her father had not told her of his intention to go abroad. I found out that he is in Ukraine from an article on the Internet. She reportedly wrote to her father, but did not tell her anything specific about her work. “He allegedly fought for the rights of children and women and similar delusions,” the woman said.
As a witness today, the court also summoned Lukáš Nováček, whom the Pilsen Regional Court in September unjustifiably sentenced to 20 years in prison for terrorist attack and participation in an organized criminal group. The man is accused of conducting military tasks in eastern Ukraine, including intelligence, guard and patrolling. The newcomer admitted to travel to Ukraine and stay in the barracks of the separatists, but refused to take part in combat operations with them. Precisely because of the unfinished criminal proceedings, the man today refused to testify, as he appealed against the verdict and the case will be dealt with by the High Court in Prague.
The main trial in Sukup’s case is currently scheduled for Tuesday. Sukup would normally face 12 to 20 years in prison, but the rate increases by a third because, according to the indictment, he committed crimes in favor of an organized criminal group. Czech law provides protection against terrorist acts and foreign states. Should Sukup be caught and transferred to the Czech Republic in the future, you can request a new hearing.
The Donetsk and Luhansk regions are located in the very east of Ukraine. Before the conflict that erupted in the spring of 2014, 6.6 million people lived in both areas. The pro-pro-separatists proclaimed self-proclaimed states, the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic. The armed conflict has claimed thousands of lives since then. Ukraine and the West blame Russia for the military support of the separatists, Moscow denies it.